HMS Orpheus was a Royal Navy corvette that served as flagship of the Australian squadron. Orpheus sank off the west coast of Auckland on 7 February 1863. 189 crew out of the ship's complement of 259 died in the disaster. This programme marks the 150th anniversary of the worst maritime tragedy to occur in New Zealand waters. Written by Wade Doak and produced by Alwyn Owen, it was first broadcast in 1972.